Details:
Date: Sunday 12th April – Thursday 7th May (fully booked with waiting list)
Retreat Leader: Paula Chichester (Supported by Yeshe Palmo)
Requirements: See Below
Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (by clicking the ‘Donate Here’ button below)
Format: Onsite only.
Retreat begins: 4pm on the 12th April (preparations & opening rituals)
Retreat ends: 7th May (after self-initiation)
Recommended arrival: 10th–11th April (to settle in)
Recommended departure: 8th–9th May (to ease out of retreat)
Accommodation: Land of Joy wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe and secure. Our accommodation options are very limited, with mostly single-sex shared accommodation and a very limited number of single rooms. Single accommodation can therefore only be offered on a priority basis. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.
About the Retreat
Land of Joy warmly welcomes the return of the Vajrayogini Enabling Action 100,000 Mantra Retreat, an important step for those wishing to deepen their connection with Vajrayogini. It offers the chance to accumulate the required mantra recitations within the supportive and peaceful conditions of retreat. More than this, it creates space for the heart to open, for clarity to grow, and for Vajrayogini’s fearless wisdom to become ever more alive within us.
Over 21 days of practice, there will be plenty of time to complete the mantra count and conclude with the fire puja. The following day, participants will have the opportunity to engage in the extensive self-initiation, as well as learn a short version – a practice that can be continued daily to purify both bodhisattva and tantric vows.
The Vajrayogini meditations and discussions will be led by Paula Chichester, who brings a wealth of experience, warmth and insight to support practitioners throughout the retreat. We are also delighted to welcome Yeshe Palmo, who will be offering a daily session of Awareness Yoga – a unique approach she has developed over decades of tantric practice, yoga, and somatic work with the channels, winds, and drops.
Requirements to Attended
Essential:
- Empowerment into the Vajrayogini (Naro Kacho) tantra from either the Sakya or Gelug tradition.
- To have received the Highest yoga tantra prerequisite initiation into Chakrasamvara, Yamantaka, Hevaja, Guhyasamaja, or Kalachakra empowerments from a fully recognised qualified master.
- To have studied at least one commentary on Vajrayogini (there are several in print now) or listened to a commentary from Jhampa Shaneman or Geshe Sonam Ngodrup online or Paula Chichester’s experiential meditations. See lamayesheling.org for Geshe Sonam’s commentary and braveview.org for recordings of Paula’s meditations.
- Great familiarity with Renunciation, Bodhicitta and Right view, with a strong grounding in bodhicitta motivation— an intense desire to free all beings from samsara!
Recommended:
- It is encouraged that you join the monthly Vajrayogini short sadhana meditations offered by Lama Yeshe Ling led by Paula as preparation for this retreat.
- It is also recommended that you start reciting one mala of the mantra a day, if you can. Or more!
Retreat Boundaries
To help create the best possible conditions for retreat, the group will be observing the traditional boundaries associated with Highest Yoga Tantra retreats.
These include:
- Staying within a physical retreat boundary – once the retreat begins, participants remain within the retreat boundaries until the conclusion of the retreat. This is usually the centre’s grounds (which includes 43 acres of forest).
- Maintaining silence at times – periods of silence allow the mind to settle and deepen practice.
- Keeping continuity of practice – following the daily schedule of sessions helps sustain focus and momentum.
- Respecting ethical conduct – refraining from distractions such as phones, non-Dharma activities & following the five precepts..
- Treating the dharma with respect – treating the sadhana, mantras, visualisations, and rituals with care and respect.
What will be offered:
- A daily rhythm of practice sessions, with time for rest and reflection.
- The support of a small group and shared practice with other dedicated practitioners.
- Encouragement and guidance from an experienced and qualified teacher.
- The chance to conclude with a fire puja and self-initiation.
- Awareness Yoga sessions with Yeshe Palmo to support your body and mind.
- A house and grounds that are set up to support genuine practice with quiet, comfortable accommodation and nourishing vegetarian meals
- Spacious surrounding of forest and open skies that encourage clarity and a sense of connection.
About the Retreat Leaders
Paula Chichester
Paula began her studies of Buddhism when she was 14 at Berkeley High School in California where she realized liberating delusion was key to healing our planet and its inhabitants. The focus on systems theory and ecology at university prepared her to apply the whole body/mind/culture/ environment to this ancient contemplative discipline of human transformation.
As a dancer, healer, singer, student of psychology and ecology, she brings all these elements into the understanding of the whole person and how tantra works in this greater context – while preserving the classical format of Lama Tsong Khapa’s ear-whispered lineage.
Inspired by the example of the meditators in Dharamsala and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, she devoted the last 34 years to following the guidance those she calls her awesome, amazing teachers, primarily Lama Thubten Yeshe, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche and Kyabje Ribur Rinpoche. — which included 24 years preparing for and completing long retreats — 2 of which were 4 year solitary great maha-anuttara yoga retreats.
She studies with teachers from all 4 schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Her goal in life has been steady since childhood: to realise Mahamudra and do all she can to bring peace and environmental justice to our world.
Find out more about Paula and many other materials and resources which can support you in your practice on her website: http://braveview.org
